CHARACTERISTICS

• Produced during the 1960’s, more specifically from 1962 until 1968.

• Produced in stainless steel, 14kt (reserved for the US market) and 18kt gold.

• Estimates calculate that during the aprox. 5-year period, the total production of this model was around 2000 to 2500 pieces.

• Rolex reference 6238 is considered the precursor of the Rolex Daytona that is why it ref. 6238 is also called “Pre-Daytona” among collectors.

• Was the last model with a smooth bezel and has the tachymeter scale printed on the dial, since reference 6239, the first Daytona, already has the tachymeter scale on the bezel.

• The reference 6238 bears an OYSTER case.

• Pump push-down buttons in chrome finished metal ref. 24-P3.

• This reference bears an OYSTER TWINLOCK 600 series winding crown in ridged metal with raised Rolex logo

• Carries a domed plexiglass crystal, first series model TROPIC 21.

In the first picture we can observe an example of 6263 case-back with the Rolex patent stamp.

• Rounded case profile, with a shiny exterior case back.

• Internal circular satin finish with the Rolex name stamp, Rolex patent, material of the case-back, and reference number.

• Often the symbol “C.R.S.” is present, representing the initials of Charles Reneè Spielman, one of the principal producers of cases for Rolex, the only one to brand case backs.

• Occasionally the reference number stamp may vary from the actual reference engraved between the upper lugs.

• Upper lug (12 o'clock) ---> REGISTERED DESIGN

                                                                   6238

Reference number of watch is engraved between the upper lugs at 12 o’clock position, where the REGISTERED DESIGN signature is printed above the reference number.

• Lower lug (6 o'clock)---> STAINLESS STEEL (when the case is in steel)

                                                      Serial number 

Irregularities in the engraving can be attributed to the limits of a manual pantograph.

bracelet

Reference 6238 models are equipped with metal bracelets with riveted links ref. 6635 for expanding versions and ref. 7205 for non expanding versions, and 19mm curved fittings nº 71.

movement

• Ref. 6238 bears a movement VALJOUX caliber 72B:

  • The 72 B caliber evolved from the 72 A basic caliber and then was renamed 722. It was produced from 1960 to about 1967.

dial

• Produced in a silvered monochromatic dial or a black dial (more rare).

• ROLEX signature:

  • Graphically characterised by the contrast between the stems and curves of the letters, thicker vertically while thinner horizontally, ending with a slight curvature, called “serif.”

• CHRONOGRAPH signature:

  • Slightly different from the ROLEX writing, it is graphically characterised by the uniform thickness of the stems and curves of the letters, also finished off with “serifs.”

• T Swiss T signature:

  • Printed with serif font and positioned between the hour register and the chronographic seconds indexes. The meaning of the letter T refers to as “applied Tritium”, whereas SWISS refers to “SWISS made.” The absence of the letter T on some models could be due to the original use of Radium or Strontium, later substituted by Tritium and finally, from 1998, substituted by the use of Luminova, a luminous non radioactive material.

• The tachymeter is printed on the dial. The numbers of the tachymeter have the same font as CHRONOGRAPH signature with the classic serifs at the ends. Numbers 6 and 9 are unique since they present an open swirl.

• The subsidiary registers are raised concentric circular ridges, slightly sunken in comparison to the level of the dial, with numbers and indexes containing the classic serifs at the end. The graphics are in black with hands in burnished metal on silver dials, and on black dials graphics may be either in white or silver, with painted white hands. The seconds subsidiary register hand is straighter and thinner than the hand of the hour and minute registers.